Late this morning TRH the Prince and Princess of Asturias touched down on the island of El Hierro in the Canary Islands for an official visit. The visit was a whirlwind of emotions with the joyful greeting by hundreds of people in the capital city of Valverde, to a very serious visit to La Restinga, an area affected by the recent eruptions of an underwater volcano. The goal of the visit was to reassure the people of the island that they have not been forgotten and to encourage tourists to visit and feel safe. With their official delegation, the royal couple saw the eruption area first hand and heard the detailed science behind the situation from National Geographic Institute representatives. After more than 4,000 underwater tremors destabilizing the coastal region, the disruption has become a full-fledged, visible, underwater volcanic eruption. The heir to the throne brought with him the support of Spain:
"We were excited and curious to know more, directly on the ground, the situation generated by the submarine eruption and seismic activity on the island in recent months, but also your concerns and consequences, regarding the duration of the event and your future. In the effort to overcome this ordeal, you are not alone: the State and the Autonomous Community will help you with the means and men, and with administrative measures to support you, strengthen your development levers and help you to be able to think calmly about what awaits you.”
The couple met with emergency and Red Cross workers, thanking them for their efforts to help the people on the island.
After the volcanic focused portion of the visit, the future King and Queen met citizens and school children who greeted the Prince with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to mark his 44th birthday. They concluded their visit with a trip to a wind farm which aims to supply El Hierro with enough power to be the first island in the world to use only green energy. After leaving, the Prince and Princess of Asturias will celebrate the Felipe’s birthday privately with their two daughters.
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Sources: Hola, Pure People, Digital Journal, diariovasco.com
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